The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-01
THE CHICAGO THIEVES.
Three More Batches Of Indictments Returned
Difficulties Incident to the Work.

CHICAGO, March 31.-At 2:30 o'clock this after
noon the special grand jury came into the Crimi
nal Court where Judge Anthony was sitting and
returned three patches Of indictments against
persons implicated in the county frauds, there
being total of twenty-three presentments
Who the indictments are against is purely
matter of speculation just now, the capiases in
of the cases having yet been issued. At
o'clock Judge Anthony left for home, saying
that he would not come back, even If sent for
He arranged with the clerk of the court as to the
amount Of bail in each case, and bonds will be
taken just as they were in the case of Wrenn, by
the clerk accepting the word of the bondsmen
for the appearance tomorrow of the indicted
parties.
The grand jury have put in just twentyone
days OF active work in those cases and yet the
investigation is unfinished. Nearly every hour
furnishes something in the way of a new clew,
and the frauds upon frauds embraced in the great
conspiracy to plumber Cook county seem to null
tiply as the inquiry advances. The magnitude
OF the work and the difficulty encountered in
mastering the facts into presentable narrative
may be understood when the jury's endeayors
are considered Frequently they have remained
in continuous session from IL in the forenoon
until 7:30 in the evening-eight and onehaf
hours, and, having kept this up almost without
interruption for twenty one days, il would seem
to be about time for final presentments. Instead
of the last batch of true bills being forthcoming
and the name Of every man implicated being on
the indicted list, there Is an imminent likelihood
that the inquiry may have to be extended and
that the session of the special jury may be pro-
longed ten days or two weeks more. States At
torney Grinnell told reporter, to day, that he
had reached no conclusion to what steps
should be taken relative to keeping up the pres
ent investigation, but acknowledged that an other
week or more might be proftably expended in
getting at the bottom facts. Should it be de-
cided to go with the work, MIR. Grinnell said
an order to that effect from the court would
suffice. and that the session of the present jury
could be extended with all legal requirements.
AS soon as it became known that the bills had
sheriff's Office. County Commissioners, local
politicians, newspaper men and friends of the
accused were the first to arrive. There WAS
much excitement and eager questioning as to
who the unfortunates were. A full force of dep
uties were kept on hand for three hours. At
last it was conceded that capiases could not pos
sibly be got ready soon enough to overcome the
vigorous protest of Sheriff Matson against serv-
ing them at a time when it might be necessary to
lock any prisoners up over night Reluct-
antly all arrests were put off until morning.
Except the jurors and Mr.. Grnnells staff, no
others were allowed to know positively the
| names of those indicted There is no reason to
doubt however, that the list is composed of Eve
members of the present Board of County Com
missloners. three ex commissioners and num-
Der of contractors and county employees neces-
stating in all eighteen new arrests in addition
| to the commissioners, commissioners. wardens
and others now under bail.
At late hour to-pight the States attorney
Office was still open. Coupes and cabs kept roll
ing up in front of the Criminal Court building
and man carrying typewriter and followed
by a lady would alight from each one, making
directly for the grand-jury room. Extra depu-
ties were stationed at the foot of the s.airways
| to keep reporters and other unwelcome visitors
from getting any higher than the ground floor.
Large quantities Of bottled beer went up during
the evening. and every indication was to be seen
| of an allnight session. AS the result of this
| squirt another huge batch of Indictments will
| probably be presented in court toll morrow.